The Director of Events & Professional Development is a senior, enterprise-level leader responsible for driving CIM’s visibility, engagement, and revenue through a high-impact portfolio of national and international events and learning programs. The Director oversees CIM’s multi-million-dollar event and professional development budgets, exercises executive authority over major contract negotiations, and ensures strong financial performance through disciplined budgeting, forecasting, and cost-control practices.

This role plays a pivotal part in shaping CIM’s long-term strategic direction—transforming Professional Development into a major growth and revenue stream, implementing a modern Learning Management System (LMS), and delivering innovative, profitable, and content-rich programming. The Director collaborates with internal teams, industry partners, and subject-matter experts to deliver exceptional events and learning experiences that strengthen CIM’s leadership in the mining, metallurgy, and materials sector.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

· Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan for CIM’s events and professional development portfolios, aligned with the Institute’s mission, strategic plan, and financial goals.

· Identify new business models, partnerships, and market opportunities to grow revenue and expand CIM’s reach and influence.

· Lead, mentor, and inspire high-performing teams, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement.

· Provide strategic counsel to the CEO and leadership team regarding events, professional development, market positioning, and revenue strategy.

Events

· Provide executive oversight of CIM’s national and international events, including conventions, trade shows, symposiums, short courses, workshops, and digital or hybrid formats.

· Lead multi-million-dollar budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring financial discipline, cost optimization, and achievement of revenue and margin targets.

· Negotiate major contracts with venues, suppliers, technology providers, audiovisual companies, and service partners, securing advantageous terms and ensuring maximum value for CIM.

· Champion a member-centric, content-driven approach to event design that delivers high-quality, inclusive, and engaging experiences.

· Drive revenue growth through sponsorship strategies, exhibition sales, partnerships, pricing models, and innovative program offerings.

· Ensure rigorous cost-control practices, strategic sourcing, and financial analysis for all events.

· Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies to enhance attendee engagement and extend CIM’s digital reach.

· Develop KPIs and evaluate event performance, attendee satisfaction, ROI, and financial outcomes to support continuous improvement.

· Oversee risk management, insurance requirements, compliance, and contingency planning for event operations.

· Build collaborative relationships with committees, volunteers, and subject-matter experts responsible for technical content development.

· Guide teams in selecting optimal venues, technologies, platforms, and formats for event delivery.

Professional Development

· Provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and budget accountability for CIM’s Professional Development programs.

· Design and lead a multi-year strategy to expand professional development into a major revenue and value-creation area for CIM.

· Oversee financial performance, revenue models, pricing strategies, and cost structures for all learning programs.

· Lead the implementation of a new Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring alignment and integration with CIM’s broader digital ecosystem.

· Collaborate with the Professional Development Officer on program planning, content priorities, performance metrics, and quality standards.

· Build strong partnerships with instructors, industry leaders, content experts, and academic institutions to enhance CIM’s learning portfolio.

· Ensure that PD programming enhances CIM’s mission, strengthens member value, and delivers sustainable revenue growth.

· Oversee short courses, webinars, certificate opportunities, and emerging digital learning formats.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring:

· 10+ years of senior leadership experience in events, conferences, professional development, or related fields, with responsibility for large-scale operations.

· A demonstrated track record of managing complex, multi-million-dollar budgets with financial rigor, cost-control discipline, and revenue accountability.

· Extensive experience leading and negotiating major contracts (venues, technology platforms, suppliers, service partners).

· Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, business case development, and financial performance analysis.

· Experience in professional development, adult learning, credentialing, or educational program delivery is an asset.

· Experience implementing or working with LMS platforms, digital learning systems, or ERP-type technologies is an asset.

· Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced, stakeholder-rich environment.

· Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

· Solid understanding of marketing, sponsorship, revenue generation, and financial management.

· Innovative, collaborative, resourceful, and solutions-oriented leadership style.

· Bachelor’s degree or relevant technical qualification; professional event or association management designations are an asset.

· Ability to travel and work flexible hours during peak periods.

· Bilingualism in French and English required.

· Experience in non-profit, association, PCO, or DMO environments is an asset.